10 Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out impure spiritsa and to heal every disease and sickness.b

2 These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon (who is called Peter) and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; 3 Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; 4 Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.c

5 These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: “Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans.d6 Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel.e7 As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heavenf has come near.’ 8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy,a drive out demons. Freely youhave received; freely give.

9 “Do not get any gold or silver or copper to take with you in your beltsg—10 no bag for the journey or extra shirt or sandals or a staff, for the worker is worth his keep.h11 Whatever town or village you enter, search there for some worthy person and stay at their house until you leave. 12 As you enter the home, give it your greeting.i13 If the home is deserving, let your peace rest on it; if it is not, let your peace return to you. 14 If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, leave that home or town and shake the dust off your feet.j15 Truly I tell you, it will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrahk on the day of judgmentl than for that town.m

16 “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves.n Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.o17 Be on your guard; you will be handed over to the local councilsp and be flogged in the synagogues.q18 On my account you will be brought before governors and kingsr as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles. 19 But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it.s At that time you will be given what to say, 20 for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Fathert speaking through you.

21 “Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rebel against their parentsu and have themput to death.v22 You will be hated by everyone because of me,w but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.x23 When you are persecuted in one place, flee to another. Truly I tell you, you will not finish going through the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.y

24 “The student is not above the teacher, nor a servant above his master.z25 It is enough for students to be like their teachers, and servants like their masters. If the head of the house has been called Beelzebul,a how much more the members of his household!

26 “So do not be afraid of them, for there isnothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known.b27 What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs. 28 Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the Onec who can destroy both soul and body in hell. 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care.b30 And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered.d31 So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.e

32 “Whoever acknowledges me before others,f I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. 33 But whoever disowns me before others, I will disown before my Father in heaven.g

34 “Do not suppose thatI have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35 For I have come to turn

37 “Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their sonor daughter more than me is not worthy of me.j38 Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me.k39 Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it.l

40 “Anyone who welcomes you welcomes me,m and anyone who welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me.n41 Whoever welcomes a prophet as a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and whoever welcomes a righteous person as a righteous person will receive a righteous person’s reward. 42 And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward.”o

About The New International Version

The NIV is the world’s most read and trusted contemporary English Bible translation. It follows the principle of "dynamic equivalence" to ensure crystal clear understandable English. The NIV is the most readable English Bible ever produced.

Copyright

Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 Biblica, Inc.™

Used by Permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

“New International Version” and “NIV” are registered trademarks of Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission.

The NIV® text may be quoted in any form (written, visual, electronic or audio), up to and inclusive of five hundred (500) verses without the express written permission of the publisher, providing the verses quoted do not amount to a complete book of the Bible nor do the verses quoted account for twenty-five percent (25%) or more of the total text of the work in which they are quoted.

Notice of copyright must appear on the title or copyright page as follows:

The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™

When quotations from the NIV® text are used by a local church in non-saleable media such as church bulletins, orders of service, posters, overhead transparencies, or similar materials, a complete copyright notice is not required, but the initials (NIV®) must appear at the end of each quotation.

Any commentary or other biblical reference work produced for commercial sale, that uses the NIV® text must obtain written permission for use of the NIV® text.

Permission requests for commercial use within the USA and Canada that exceeds the above guidelines must be directed to, and approved in writing by The Zondervan Corporation, 5300 Patterson Ave. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49530, USA. www.Zondervan.com

Permission requests for commercial use within the UK, EU and EFTA that exceeds the above guidelines must be directed to, and approved in writing by Hodder & Stoughton Limited, 338 Euston Road, London NW1 3BH, United Kingdom. www.Hodder.co.uk

Any Internet addresses (websites, blogs, etc.) and telephone numbers printed in this Bible are offered as a resource. They are not intended in any way to be or imply an endorsement by Zondervan, nor does Zondervan vouch for the content of these sites and numbers for the life of the Bible.